boyum



3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Patented Sept. 2, 1890.

M m P YU 0S BK (No Model.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

J. S. BOYUM.

HAMMOGK SUPPORT.

No. 435,793. Patented Sept. 2, 1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE1 JOHN S. BOYUM, OF MAYVILLE, NORTH DAKOTA, ASSIGNOR TO VINCENT P. TRAVERS, OF NElV YORK, N. Y.

HAMMOCK-SUPPORT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 435,793, dated September 2, 1890.

Application filed January 18, 1890. Serial No. 337,383. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: folded position without liability of disorder- Be it known that I, JOHN S. BOYUM, a citiing or breaking any of the parts. Finally, zen of the United States, residing at May the support must be capable of manufacture ville, in the county of Traill and State of at a cost which will bring it within the reach 5 North Dakota, have invented new and useof all.

ful Improvements in Hammock-Supports, of It is the purpose of my invention to pro- Which the following is a specification. vide a ham mock-support possessing, all these It is the purpose of niyinvention to proadvantages, and in addition thereto having vide a hammock-supportwhich shall be capathe capacity of being extensible upon any 10 ble of use in any place, either indoor or outkind of ground, level or steeply inclined, 6o door and upon any kind of ground, whether which may be used by a simple, easy, and inthe same be a steep or rocky hillside or a stantaneous change or adjustment to give level lawn, and which shall combine within support under high tension to a hammock, itself all those features essential to a peror to drop the latter sutficiently to give any r 5 fectly-organized structure of the character desired swing, andwhereon one or more harm 6r specified. mocks may be stretched simultaneously, if

To possess commercial value a hammockdesired. support must embody within itself certain My invention also contemplates an organirequisites essential to this class of structures. zation of the utmost simplicity, strength, and 2c It must consist of few and simple parts,which, lightness of structure and capable of an inwhen combined together, shallaftord the necfinite variety of adjustments, which may be essary strength for every variety of use and effected by one hand and at either end of the at the same time be of light Weight that it frame. may be readily transported from place to It is also my aim to provide an entirely place by any person and with moderate efnovel and automatic locking mechanism, in fort. It must be capable of a varied extencombination with a system of duplex extension to not only accommodate hammocks of sible bracing-timbers, hitherto entirely undiiferent lengths, but to afford a different used in structures of this character, whereby swing or tension to the suspended hammock, the hammock-hooks may be approached to- 0 to relieve the limbs of the person reclining ward or separated from each other to any deby affording a change of position, and by rengree desired to give an extended swing to the dering the reclining position a normal one. hammock or to place it under the highest de- The frame as a whole must fold or collapse gree of tension. with the least possible time and effort within My invention also includes various novel the smallest possible space,and should be set details of construction, more fully described up or extended for use by a single instanin the following specification, and shown in taneous movement. Moreover, it should be the drawings accompanying and forming part of such construction that it may be used upon thereof. a narrow veranda without difficulty or as an To these ends my invention consists in the 40 attachment to a side wall or partition of an several novel features of construction and e inner room without any material destruction new combinations of parts, hereinafter set of the space of such apartment, where it afforth, and then pointed out in the claims anfords an extra bed which may be extended nexed to this description. for use in a moment, which affords the high- To enable others to understand and use my est comfort to the user, and which may be invention, I will describe the same in detail, 5 stowed in an instant to occupy practically reference being had to the accompanying none of the available space of the room. Its drawings, in which operation should be of such simple character Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a that any person, whether a child or an adult, hammock-support organized in accordance 50 can readily set it up, adjust, and stow it in with my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation 10:)

taken from the opposite point of view and showing the lateral supports or props closed upon the standards. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the folded and stowed frame. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a transverse or vertical section of Fig. 3 on the line at 00 of said figure. is a similar section in the line y y, Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a diagram perspective showing a part of the locking-ratchet, the sliding box and pawl, the truss-rod, and the lock-operating devices, said parts being arranged in proper relative position. Fig. 8 is a vertical longitudinal section of the slide or box and the ratchet inclosed by said slide to illustrate the action of the pawl and the devices operating the same. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective of the slide or box, together with a detail perspective of the pawl removed from its bearings, and a similar View of the bifurcated extremity of the truss-rod and end of the tripping-wire. Fig. 10 is a perspective of one of the lateral supports or props, showing the manner of connecting and adjusting the rope.

In the said drawings, the reference-n um eral 1 indicates the end standards of the hammock-support, the same being composed of light timbers, of hard wood, or any other suitable material of any desired length. These timbers are preferably of greater width than thickness, and this increased dimension is arranged in the line of strain of the hammock-cords in order that the necessary strength may be provided with the least possible expenditure of material and with the minimum weight of the parts.

Pivotally connected to the lower rounded extremity of each end standard is a stretcherbar 2, composed of a fiat bar of suitable length, which extends in a diagonal or inclined direction to the other, to which it is connected some distance above its base. These stretchers are thus crossed one upon the other at about their middle portion, their pivotally-attached extremities being lapped upon the opposite flatfaces of the standards. By this construction the stretchers are wholly disconnected one from the other. Moreover, being pivotally connected to opposite sides of the end standards, a space is provided between the adjacent faces of the stretchers equal to the thickness of the ends or standards, which are therefore adapted to fold between the stretchers in the manner more fully described hereinafter.

The stretchers 2 may be of any desired length, and the upper points of pivotal attachment may be located at any desired distance from the lower ends of the standards. Ordinarily, however, these points may be about one-third of the length of the said standards above their lower ends, as substantially shown in the drawings, and while subject to any required variation these proportions will be found preferable.

This manner of connecting the end standards one to the other-forms one of the most important features of my invention. It provides whereby the end standards may be firmly braced against the draft of the hammockcords, while the points of attachment of the latter are adapted to be separated to any degree desired to aiford a longer or shorter stretch for the hammock. In other words, the duplex system of braces or stretchers, each pivotally attached by one end to the foot of one standard and by the other end to the body portion of the other standard, affords an extensible connection of great strength, operating from either end of the frame, whereby the end standards move in unison both in extending and collapsing.

Mounted upon one of the stretcher-beams is a box or casing 3, preferably constructed of metal, of rectangular form and fitting, the beam closely enough to permit it to slide thereon in both directions. Upon the lower side or bottom of this box are formed or mounted lugs 4, which receive a pivot-pin 5, forming a support for a pawl 6, the point of which passes through an opening 7 in the bottom of the box 3. The heel 8 of the pawl rises from its pivotal support toward the bottom of the box, its edge being rounded or curved to permit the pawl to vibrate sufficiently. In this heel is formed an elongated slot 9, which provides an attachment for the end of a tripping-wire 10, extending from said pawl to the end of a lever-bar12,pivoted upon the fiat inner face of the other stretcher 2 and preferably mounted in a shallow recess therein to prevent its interfering with the folding of the standards.

Mounted upon the ends of the pivot-pin 5 is the forked end of a truss-rod 13, its other end being provided with an eye 14, which engages an eyebolt 15, passing through the other stretcher from edge to edge and located at a little distance from the point where it is pivotally attached to the standard. This truss-rod is not only of such strength and rigidity as to operate the box 3, causing it to slide upon the stretcher on which it is mounted in both directions, but it also acts as a tie between the adjacent faces of the stretchers, thereby causing the draft upon the hammock to spring the said stretchers slightly toward each other or inward and lending additional strength to the structure. This truss rod or tie also constitutes a means of support for the tripping-wire 10, which lies in eyes or staples 16 formed on said bar. From the upper end of the lever-bar 12 a second or similar wire 16 is carried to a lever-arm 17, which is mounted upon a rock-shaft 18, journaled in lugs or plates 19, which project from a plate 19*, mounted on the stretcher and bolted or screwed thereto. The rock-shaft is provided with an open handle 20, rising above its upper end and above the edge of the stretcher. Upon the lower edge of the stretcher upon which the casing 3 is mounted is a rack of teeth 21, preferably formed of a IIO strip of metal having one edge serrated and seated in a countersunk recess in the vertical face of the stretcher and fastened by belts or screws. The box 3 runs freely in both directions over the toothed strip, with which the nose of the pawl 6 makes engagement through the opening in the bottom of the box, being thrown into mesh with said teeth by a small leaf or wire spring 22, hooked into an openingin the heel of the pawl,carried around the pivot-pin 5, and having its free end hearing against the under side of the box 3. A detent-lug 21 may be formed upon or near the outer end of the rack 21 to arrest the movement of the box or lock casing 3 as the standards are extended outwardly. It will be seen that by grasping the handle 20 and turning the rock-shaft l8 sufficient tension is exerted upon the tripping-wire 10 to trip the pawl 6 and release it from the teeth of the rack 21. By retaining the pawl in its tripped position the operator, by seizing a second handle 23, mounted on the other stretcher, as shown in Fig. 1, can easily shift the stretchers in either direction to adjust the angle of inclination of the end standards and increase or diminish the distance between hooks 24, mounted on the inner edges of said standards at suitable intervals. These hooks may be one or more in number upon each standard, and Where a plurality of such attachments are used I prefer to arrange them at somewhat less intervals upon the standard at the head of the frame than at the other end, as shown in Fig. 1, in order to give a slight drop to the foot of the hammock.

Pivotally mounted upon the outer edges of the standards at or near their upper ends are bearings -25,having side flanges,between which are pivotally mounted the ends of lateral supporting bars or props 26, having a length very little shorter than that of the standards themselves. These props may be much lighter than the end standards, as the strain to which they are subjected is not as great. They are provided at their lower ends with pins or spikes 27 to enable them to readily engage either a floor or rocky surface or the earth or sod of a lawn.

Upon the back of each prop at or near its upper end or at any other suitable point are mounted hooks 28, the upper and lower hooks being turned in opposite directions, while a central hook 29 has its end turned upward and forms a point of attachment for a cord or small rope 30, which extends along the entire length of the prop and passes through an opening 3l in its foot, whence it extends to the foot of the standard and is firmly fastened to the same. These props serve to maintain the hammock-support proper in an inclined position, as shown in Fig. 1, and at any desired angle of inclination.

By the construction shown for the attachment of these props to the end standards, I provide what is practically a universal joint,

each prop, being independently adjustable,

either transversely to the frame or in a transverse and longitudinal direction combined, their spread or the degree of angularity permitted being regulated by the length of the cords or ropes 30, which may be readily taken up by looping them over the hooks 28 and 29. It will be seen that by the construction shown and set forth these props or lateral braces fold upon the backs of the end standards and lie in the same longitudinal line therewith when not extended.

The handle 20, by which the pawl 6 is tripped, is located at a point removed somewhat from the center of the stretcher toward the standard to which the higher end of said stretcher is pivoted, and the handle 23, mounted rigidly upon the other stretcher, is located at a corresponding distance from its center toward the other standard in order that as the stretchers shift in erecting and extending the frame these handles shall separate from each other, while in folding or collapsing the same they shall approach and finally register one with the other at the center of the collapsed frame. By grasping these handles one in each hand and tripping the pawl and then exerting a moderate degree of force in approaching them the end standards will swing inward or toward each other and will pass between the stretchers, which assume a position of substantial parallelism at the mo ment that the two standards pass into one and the same straight line between them. As this position is assumed, the two handles meet, the handle arching over the tripping-handle 20, both lying in the center of the folded frame in the small space between the upper ends of the folded standards, as seen in Fig. 4c. The latter are retained in this position and prevented from passing beyond a true parallel position by means of the pivotal bearings 25, which are extended laterally sufficiently to form ears or lugs, which rest upon the adjacent edges of the parallel stretchers and sustain the ends of the standards which, although light, have sufficient weight to cause a tendency to drop through and sag below the stretchers. The props or lateral braces 26 are then swung into place upon the backs of the folded standards,

IOC

where they may be held by simply drawing the ropes 30 taut and fastening them by looping over the hooks. The entire support is thus folded by what is practically a single instantaneous easy movement into a compact convenient form, (shown substantiallyin Figs. 3 and 4,) the handles 20 and 23 beingin the center and close to either side of the folded structure, whereby it may be picked up and carried with great ease and stored in any convenient place without occupying any material space.

The hamn'lock-support is extended by simply raising the ends of the standards until the handles 20 and 23 are separated, after which the further extension of the frames may be accomplished by simply seizing the handles and pushing them apart, the automatic pawl running easily over the rack of teeth 21 without vibrating the handle 20 by reason of the elongated slot in the heel of the pawl. The latter engages the teeth as the frame unfolds and prevents its collapse, and when the extension is sufficient the operator simply swings the prop 26, pivoted upon the standard,which is in his grasp, throwing said prop out laterally on either side to any desired angle, its'spiked end taking the earth or floor at the proper point and supporting the unfolded or extended frame. The other prop is then adjusted, and if the hammock is not previously hooked onto the end standards it may be now attached, and if a further tension is required therefor it may be readily applied by simply drawing either one of the said standards outward, a corresponding movement being thereby communicated to the other. In this manner the hammock may be strained to any degree necessary or preferred. It will readily be seen that more than one hammock may be supported upon the end standards, especially if different degrees of tension be imparted to each, although ordinarily sufficient space will be afforded on a frame of usual size without this. By spreading the props 26, however, so as to give somewhat more inclination than usual to the standards, a separate hammock may be attached to and supported by the latter by the hooks beneath.

The hammock-support may be extended for interior use by simply casting off the ropes 30, looping or half hitching them around the ends of the standards and lateral props, and attaching or catching the bights of the ropes to or over hooks or other fastenings on the wall of a room or other suitable supports at a suitable height from the floor, thereby giving a comparatively small outward angle of inclination to the end standards. The same method of extension may also be applied to a narrow veranda or other exterior place where opportunity for expanding the lateral props or braces is not readily afforded. In this manner the support may be readily utilized as a means for providing an additional bed in case of sudden necessity, which may be arranged for use in a moment and which will afiord great comfort to the user.

I may utilize the stretchers as a support for a book-rack or other similar device, or they may afiord a convenient supportfor papers and reading-matter of various kinds.

In removing the support from place to place when once extended, it is not necessary to collapse the same. To effect this operation the operator simply trips the locking-pawl and shifts the stretchers to incline the end standards inward and slacken the hammock, the position assumed by said standards being a slight converging angle in order that in drawing either end along the floor or ground the spike or pin of the lateral prop at that end may not catch in or wound the surface over which it is moved. By then seizing the lateral prop at either end in one hand and with the other catching the stretcher near the standard and raising the latter, the hammockcloth being rolled or wrapped about the arm, the whole structure may be removed, the other end passing readily over the surface of the ground or on the floor. During this operation the frame will be prevented from collapsing by the pawl 6, which lies in the first teeth of the rack 21. In this mannera removal may be easily and quickly effected with small expenditure of strength and without in any manner marring the grass or scratching a floor, the standard and stretcher in contacttherewith running on their rounded edge and end, respectively.

A swinging hammock may be provided by simply approaching the hammock-supports, by seizing the handles 20 and 23, tripping the pawl, and drawing the handles toward each other until a sufficient slack is given to the hammock. The lateral braces 26 are also adjusted at such an angle as to give the required base of support.

While Ihave shown and described the hammock-support as preferably formed of hard wood, and having that form best adapted to secure the maximum strength with the least bulk or body of such material, it should be be distinctly understood that I may employ any other material and may make use of any other form or configuration of the several parts, my invention having no limitation in these respects. I may also vary the construction of the locking devices and the means for operating the same in a great variety of ways, as well as the rope-connections between the lateral props and the standards, and my invention is wholly independent of any of these minor details of construction.

The construction and organization of this invention are such that the parts are always in place and always assume their correct rela tive position automatically, both folding and extending the frame, with the exception of the laterally-extending props. These may be drawn. in in collapsing the support bysim ply drawing in the rope, which is coiled or looped upon the hooks or other similar attachments upon the upper portions of said braces.

In setting up and in collapsing the frame no tool or other device is used or needed, nor are there any screws, bolts, or nuts to be attached or removed. Both results may be accomplished by any person without removing from the spot on which he will ordinarily stand in taking position in the hammock.

In order to give the most substantial support, the lateral props or braces should be extended from the top ofthe standards or uprights in such position that the ropes connecting their bases shall be substantially at a right angle with the longitudinal line of the frame. lVhile this precise arrangement is not absolutely essential, it is preferable on account of the increased firmness and solidity it affords.

The whole structure may be inclosed in a rectangular oblong box of comparatively small dimensions. This box, when the hammock-support is employed for interior use in the manner already described, may be advantageously employed as a foundation therefor, in which the bases of the standards may rest. In this manner all wear is wholly removed from the floor or carpet, and the frame when not in use can be quickly folded and inclosed entirely out of sight.

The curved heel of the pawl 6 will ordinarily be provided at its rearward end with a cam shoulder or projection, which, by making contact with the sleeve or box 3, will serve as, a stop to limit the throw of the pawl when it is tripped.

hat I claim is 1. A hammock-support consisting of two similar standards connected by braces having their ends connected, respectively, to rigid pivot-pins at the foot of one standard and above the foot of the other standard, whereby said braces are crossed when the standards are erected and the several parts rendered capable of folding into parallelism, substantially as described.

2. A hammock-support consisting of two standards connected by pivotally-attached stretchers and braces which cross each other between said standards and provided with means for locking the extended frame in any desired position, substantially as described.

In a hammock-support, the combination, with two end standards, of braces or stretchers pivotally connected to different points upon said standardsandcrossingeach otherbctween the latter, and lateral props or braces suitably connected to the standards at or near the upper ends thereof, substantially as described.

4. In ahaminock-support, the combination, with two similar end standards, of braces or stretchers pivotally connected to the bottoms and to points above the bases of said standards and crossing each other between the latter, and a locking device movable upon one of said stretchers and connected by a tie-rod to the other stretcher, substantially as described.

5. In a ham mock-support, the combination, with two similar end standards, of braces or stretchers having their ends pivoted upon opposite faces of said standards at or near the bases thereof and above the same and crossing each other between said standards, and lateral braces or props suitably connected at one end to the standards and extensible at their other ends in all directions, the degree of extension being variably limited by ropes running through the feet of said props and attached to the standards, substantially as described.

6. In a hammoclosupport, the combination, with two similar standards, each having one or more hooks or other attachments for a ham- 1nock-ring, of stretchers or braces crossing each otherbetween said standards and pivotally connected to the standards, a lock-casin g consisting of a suitable support carrying a spring-pawl sliding over a rack of teeth on one stretcher and connected bya tie-rod to a rigid attachment 011 the other stretcher, and a tripping device connected with said pawl, substantially as described.

7. Ina hammock-support, the combination, with two similar standards, of stretchers or braces crossing each other between said standards and pivotally connected at their ends to their opposite faces, a lock-casing consisting of a suitable support sliding over a rack of teeth on one stretcher and carrying a springpawl, said casing being rigidly connected by a tie-rod to a point on the other stretcher, means for tripping said pawl, and lateral props or braces having universal connection with the upper ends of the standard, substantial] y as described.

8. In a hammocksupport, the combination, with similar standards, of stretchers or braces crossed between said standards and having their ends pivotally connected to opposite faces of the latter attheir bases and at points above, a support carrying a spring-pawl sliding over a rack of teeth on one stretcher and connected by a tiered to the other stretcher, a tripping-wire running in eyes on said tierod to one arm of a lever on the stretcher to which itis connected, and a wire running from the other arm of said lever to an operating handle located on the same stretcher at a suitable distance from its center, a similar but rigid handle being correspondingly located on the other stretcher, substantially as described.

9. In a hammock-support, the combination, with similar standards, of braces or stretchers crossing each other between said standards and pivotally connected at their ends to the opposite faces of the same, bearings pivoted upon the backs of the standards at or near their upper ends, and lateral braces or props pivoted upon said bearings and adapted to extend upon either side of as well as longitudinally with relation thereto, substantially as described.

10. In a hammock-support, t'he combination, with similar end standards, of braces or stretchers pivotally connected at their ends to opposite faces of said standards and crossing each other between the same, and lateral braces or props having a universal coun ection at one end with the upper ends or portions of the standards, said props being provided with hooks or similar attachments, having ropes attached to one end thereof and led through an eye or opening in or near the base of said props to the lower part of the standards, substantially as described.

11. In a hammock-s11pport, the combination, with similar standards, of stretchers or braces crossing each other between said stand ards and pivotally connected to the opposite faces thereof, a lock-casing consisting of a sleeve running over a rack of teeth on one stretcher and provided with a spring-pawl engaging said teeth through a slot or opening in said sleeve, a tie-rod rigidly connecting said casing or sleeve to a point on the other stretcher, a tripping-wire supported by said tie-rod and engaging an elongated slot in the heel of the pawl, and means for operating said wire, substantially as described.

12. In a hammock-support, the combination, with similar standards of braces or stretchers pivotally connected at their ends to opposite sides or faces of said standards and crossing each other between the same, an automatic locking device sliding upon one of said stretchers and having a tie-rod by which it is connected to the other stretcher at a point near. the standard, bearings pivotally mounted upon the backs or outer faces of the standards at or near their upper ends and constituting stops for said parts when collapsed, and lateral braces or props pivoted at one end between flanges on said bearings, substantially as described.

13. In a hammock-support, the combination, with similar standards, of braces crossing each other between the same and pivotally connected at their ends to opposite faces thereof, an automatic locking device running over a rack of teeth on one stretcher and connected to the other by a tie-rod, a handle upon each stretcher so located that when the frame is collapsed said handles shall both coincide substantially with the middle point of said frame and with each other, and lateral props or braces pivotally connected with the upper ends of the standards, substantially as described. a

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN S. BOYUM.

Witnesses:

PERCY B. HILLS, JAMES A. RUTHERFORD. 

